Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Turkish press: Turkey’s STM to exhibit naval platforms, UAVs at Expodefensa 2021

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL NOV 28, 2021 – 3:53 PM GMT+3 
EDITED BY AYŞE BETÜL BAL

STM modernized the Turkish Naval Forces’ submarines. (Courtesy of STM)

Turkish defense firm STM will showcase its naval platforms and tactical mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems at Expodefensa 2021 being held in Colombia next week.

“Under the leadership of our parent institution, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), we will be attending Expodefensa 2021 to share our experience in projects in which we are proud to have participated as a trusted solution partner of various world navies, including Pakistan and Ukraine,” STM said in a statement.

The firm said it will introduce its tactical mini-UAV product family – which includes Alpagu, Kargu and Togan – to South America, along with its MILGEM (National Ship) Ada-class corvette as well as the I-class frigate, which is Turkey’s first national frigate project.

Alpagu is a portable fixed-wing strike UAV while Kargu is a portable rotary-wing variant. Togan is a portable rotary-wing spotter UAV.

Kargu, which has been in the arsenal of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), achieved its first export success this year. While the deliveries of the exported drones continue, negotiations with different countries showing interest in the product are also ongoing. This particular UAV, which has managed to prove itself on different battlefields, performs its duties under human control with the principle of “Man-in-the-loop.”

Alpagu, on the other hand, stands out with its light structure, diving velocity, low radar cross-sectional area and speed as well as its ability to cause pinpoint damage to targets. Alpagu, which can be carried by a single soldier and fired from a launcher, has a low weight of 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds).

Having already completed test shots, Alpagu is expected to enter the Turkish army’s arsenal in the coming weeks.

The naval platforms designed by STM are also closely followed by South American countries. In addition to the Offshore Patrol Ship (OPV), which is designed to perform surface defense warfare, effective uninterrupted reconnaissance, surveillance and patrol missions in the open sea and on the coast, MILGEM class ships are also turning heads.

The company’s CF3500 frigate, which it has designed in the form of a MILGEM boat for the Colombian Navy, will also be on display at the fair.

“The systems that continue to be used successfully in the field by the Turkish Navy are brought overseas as quality, affordable and modern engineering solutions,” the company statement said.

Expodefensa 2021, one of the most important defense industry fairs in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be held in Colombia’s capital Bogota from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

STM carries out collaborations, technology transfer and business development activities in more than 20 countries from South America to the Far East. Within the scope of design, construction and modernization activities, STM produces unique and flexible engineering solutions for the surface and submarine platforms of the Turkish Navy, which is a NATO member and also one of the most active navies in the world.

STM also undertakes important tasks in the submarine modernization and construction projects of the Turkish Navy. The firm successfully carried out the modernization of two type 209-class submarines of which it was the main contractor and took part as the leading contractor in the modernization of four Preveze class submarines. STM also fulfills important duties within the scope of the New Type Submarine Project for air-independent propulsion-system, namely Reis Class submarines, which will be an important stage in the realization of Turkey’s National Submarine Project. Accordingly, Section 50, the head section containing submarine torpedo tubes, which only a limited number of countries in the world can manufacture, was produced for the first time in Turkey by STM, marking a historic success.

STM earlier this year started the construction of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy within the scope of cooperation that includes technology transfer. The company has already built and delivered Sea Supply Ship, PNS MOAWIN, Turkey’s largest tonnage military shipbuilding project, designed for the Pakistan Navy, to Karachi. Continuing its activities as the main contractor in the modernization of Agosta 90B Khalid class submarines, which are also owned by Pakistan, STM has gained the trust of the Pakistan Navy with these successful projects.

Turkish press: 4 Turkish firms display defense products at Colombia’s Expodefensa

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL DEC 01, 2021 – 2:30 PM GMT+3

Visitors try out guns and weapons during the Defense and Security Industry Fair “Expodefensa,” in Bogota, Colombia, Nov. 30, 2021. (EPA Photo)

Turkish defense giants STM, Aselsan, Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) and Otokar are showcasing their latest products at the Expodefensa 2021, one of the largest defense industry fairs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The three-day exhibition in Bogota, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, is organized in association with the Colombian Defense Ministry.

Its aim is to “help governments and armed forces face their operational and capability challenges while playing a role in building a safer Latin America.” International exhibitors present their systems and products to respond to a growing regional demand. Expodefensa’s first edition was held in 2009.

In an earlier statement, the STM said it will promote its naval platforms and tactical mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The firm said it will introduce its tactical mini-UAV product family – which includes Alpagu, Kargu and Togan – to South America, along with its MILGEM (National Ship) Ada-class corvettes as well as the I-class frigate, which is Turkey’s first national frigate project.

Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte visited the STM booth at the event, and was briefed on the ongoing projects.

Colombian President Iván Duque also paid a visit to the fair with an accompanying delegation, receiving information from Aselsan on their products.

“We are proud to host the President of Colombia and foreign delegations in our booth at Expodefensa 2021, Bogota, Colombia,” read a tweet shared by the Aselsan’s Twitter account on Nov. 30.

Otokar, a company of Turkish conglomerate Koç Holding, meanwhile has presented its armored land vehicles at the fair.

Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç said in an earlier statement that Otokar, which achieves new successes in the world defense industry day by day, continues to make a name for itself with its global knowledge, engineering, research and development (R&D) and technology transfer.

“By participating in fairs held in five continents, we represent Turkey’s defense industry in the best way around the world, and we see these fairs as an important tool to come together with our current and potential users,” he said.

Turkish press: Azerbaijani Air Force conducts drill using Turkish drones

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL DEC 02, 2021 – 5:45 PM GMT+3

The Azerbaijani Air Force conducts a drill using Bayraktar TB2 drones in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 2, 2021. (IHA Photo)

The Azerbaijani Air Force used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) made by Turkey’s drone magnate Bayraktar in their recent military drill, the country’s Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The drill, which included live-fire training flights, aimed to improve the Azerbaijani Air Force’s combat skills.

“During live-fire training flights, the aerial reconnaissance was conducted in cooperation with units of other types of troops, and the coordinates of the imaginary enemy’s land-based targets were determined,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry also released the drill’s video footage.

The state-of-the-art drones helped Turkey’s ally Azerbaijan defeat Armenia-backed occupying forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/azerbaijani-air-force-conducts-drill-using-turkish-drones

Aurora and UN Armenia’s Christmas Market to Include a gift-sharing program

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 6 2021
December 6, 2021, 14:11

 1 minute read

The Christmas Market organized by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and UN Armenia and held in partnership with the Tovmasyan Charity Foundation will take place very soon, on December 12, 2021, from 10:00 am till 8:00 pm in the festively decorated Dvin Music Hall (40 Paronyan Street, Yerevan, Armenia).

The event will raise funds for Aurora’s programs and the UN projects in Armenia, contribute to the appreciation of charity, and promote giving back. Everyone is also invited to take part in the Market’s Gift-Sharing Program that offers exciting gifts from the organizers. In addition, all guests will be able to see a live performance while purchasing local goods and supporting a good cause.

For just AMD 1,000 per coupon,anybody can participate in the Gift-Sharing Program: companies may buy a bigger number of coupons in advance to surprise their clients, partners, or employees and individuals can donate via this link and will receive the appropriate number of coupons by email. And of course, when you attend the Christmas Market, you can make a donation and receive your coupon or coupons in person. A range of exciting gifts awaits the lucky ones: a festive Christmas Brunch with live music, vouchers for wellness and spa treatments or a tête-à-tête dinner, a weekend for two in an exclusive Yerevan hotel, wine, jewelry and many more. The two main gifts are offered by the Co-organizers: an exclusive invitation to the 2022 Aurora Prize Ceremony – wherever it may take place – and an invitation to attend the high-level ceremony dedicated to UN’s 30th anniversary in Armenia.

At the Market, the Quartet of the Armenian Philharmonic and some local Armenian and Artsakh talents will perform holiday music live, lifting the spirits and enhancing the atmosphere of Christmas cheer.

 An event organized by the Tarber Book Club will take place in the reading corner, where children are invited to discuss “The Blue Arrow” by Gianni Rodari with host Sergey Sargsyan.

The drawing of the coupons for the Gift-Sharing Program will take place at 6.30 pm when participants will be able to find out whether they are the lucky ones to receive the coveted gifts from the organizers and partners of the Christmas Market.

Baroness Cox asks UK Government to assess ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan, failure to return Armenian POWs

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 6 2021
December 6, 2021, 19:10

 2 minutes read

Member of the House of Lords, Baroness Caroline Cox has asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of violations of the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement by the government of Azerbaijan, and the number of Armenian military and civilian personnel who have yet to be released by the government of Azerbaijan.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Minister of State, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said: “The Minister for Europe and Americas has repeatedly highlighted the need for both countries to avoid provocative actions. She has also raised the long-standing issues of prisoners of war, detainees and the missing or deceased in calls with both Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan. We urge both Governments to engage in substantive negotiations to settle all matters relating to the conflict.”

Baroness Cox stressed that the impunity enjoyed by Azerbaijan has encouraged continuing violations of the ceasefire agreement by Azerbaijan. “As Azerbaijani forces continue to advance into Armenian territories, a few weeks ago I visited a village, Davit Bek, in Syunik province, and witnessed the suffering of the Armenian people there. Azerbaijan also refuses to release Armenian prisoners, subjecting many to torture and killing. What will Her Majesty’s Government do to require Azerbaijan to stop violations of the ceasefire agreement and of human rights?” she asked.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park said: “The UK has engaged very actively both during and after the conflict. The Minister for Europe and Americas, Wendy Morton, speaks regularly with her counterparts in both countries. She continuously urges de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group, and she has condemned the alleged war crimes, including the deliberate shelling of civilian areas, videos purportedly showing beheadings of soldiers, and alleged deliberate use of white phosphorus against civilians. The allegations come from both sides in this conflict.”

Lord Bishop of Coventry said he visited the border inclusion area of Syunik province, at an earlier stage than Lady Cox. “In Khoznavar, the incursion had cut off the nearby village from its main water source, and access to grazing land had been denied, threatening the survival of this poverty-stricken village. Following my letters of 7 July to the Foreign Secretary and of 5 November to the Minister for Europe and Americas, what further steps are Her Majesty’s Government taking to challenge those illegal incursions, to ensure the integrity of Armenia’s borders and to press for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops according to the terms of the November 2020 ceasefire?” the Lord asked.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park responded that “the UK notes the ceasefire agreement reached in November last year.” “Both countries had to make difficult decisions to secure stability and peace, and it is important that remaining issues relating to the conflict are resolved through negotiation. In particular, the OSCE Minsk Group is the obvious and key forum for this, facilitated by France, Russia and the US. The UK is not a formal member of the OSCE but we continue to support its efforts to negotiate a permanent and sustainable settlement,” he added.

Lord Risby emphasized that the major cause of tension and violence has been the lack of a clear and mutually acceptable demarcation of the international border and asked whether the UK considers assisting or promoting the process. “The UK supports the OSCE Minsk Group process and, alongside that, the basic principles. Last updated in 2009, these include a return of the occupied territories and the acceptance of a free _expression_ of will on the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region,” Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park noted.

During local elections authorities suffered defeat in places where they had claimed victories – opposition lawmaker

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 6 2021

The best assessment of the local elections held in Armenia on Sunday was given by Nikol Pashinyan himself, who actually admitted that the rulingCivic Contract party had failed, opposition lawmaker from ‘Armenia’ bloc Artur Khachatryan told a briefing in parliament. In the words of Khachatryan, Pashinyan was trying to justify the defeat by their busy activities around external challenges. 

The MP remarked that authorities were denying the case of vote-buying, however, both in yesterday’s and previous local elections the state was quite generous in offering social assistance to residents of the same communities which couldn’t come as a coincidence. 

Moreover, per Khachaturian, authorities mobilized all administrative resources prior to and during the elections, yet they lost the elections in 15 communities out of 36.   

He reminded that opposition forces can gain majority in  Council of elders of 8 communities and in 13 if they form coalitions. In total, the opposition can theoretically get control of the power in 21 communities, he added.

Armenia local elections: Lack of alternative, record low voter turnout ensure ruling party’s win in Armavir

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 6 2021
02:09, 06.12.2021

The ruling Civil Contract Party (CCP) recorded a Pyrrhic victory in the absence of any alternative political force in Sunday’s local elections in Armavir, Armenia.

As only the CCP ran in the elections in this now-enlarged community, there was no competition, and as a result, the voter turnout was at a record low of 20.73 percent.

According to the Central Electoral Commission data, the results of 23 out of 29 polling stations in Armavir have been processed, and according to which the only political force running received 100% of the votes.

Extremely low voter turnout—25.78%—was also registered in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) city, as a result of which the CCP won there as well. The results of 14 out of 25 polling stations have been processed so far in Etchmiadzin. The ruling party has received 56.56%, and the opposition Etchmiadzin Bloc has garnered 35.5 percent. In third place is the little-known Master of the Homeland party, which received 4.57 percent. In fourth place is the Real Democratic Party (1.95%), and in last place is the Bright Armenia Party, which garnered 1.05% of the votes.

In a relatively high voter turnout (34.16%), however, the ruling party won in Metsamor city, with 81.23% of the votes. Here, as the only opposition, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party received 18.77 percent.

At Erdoğan’s request, Putin presents the results of a trilateral meeting in Sochi

Emil Lazarian

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 21:24, 3 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. On the initiative of theTurkish sideRussian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a telephone conversation, during which, among other issues, they discussed issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Kremlin.

It is noted that at the request of the Turkish President, Vladimir Putin informed about the main results of the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi on November 26, dedicated to the anniversary of the signing of the November 9, 2020 declaration on Nagorno Karabakh.

“It is important that Baku and Yerevan confirmed readiness to cooperate in the context of ensuring stability in the region, as well as the establishment of demarcation and delimitation mechanisms between the two countries was confirmed during the talks. In addition, the parties are committed to resolving practical issues for restoring trade, economic and transport links.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the importance of the Russian Federation’s mediation role and called for further coordination of efforts, including using the opportunities of the Russian-Turkish Center for Ceasefire Control”, reads the statement.

Armenian high-tech minister, Belarusian Ambassador discuss cooperation development opportunities

Emil Lazarian

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 12:54, 4 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Minister of High Technological Industry Vahagn Khachaturyan received on December 3 Ambassador of Belarus to Armenia Alexander Konyuk, the ministry reports.

The minister presented to the Ambassador Armenia’s technological potential, the programs and works being carried out by the ministry aimed at forming and developing technology-based economy.

Vahagn Khachatryan highly appreciated the experience and achievements of Belarus in the technology sector, expressing confidence that there are all preconditions to strengthen the new cooperation opportunities in this field.

The Ambassador thanked for the meeting and touched upon the partnering ties between Armenia and Belarus in different areas. He said that the Belarusian side is interested in strengthening the cooperation especially in the high technology field.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Aleppo Governor expresses readiness to provide assistance to Armenian structures

Emil Lazarian

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 13:54, 4 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Tigran Gevorgyan met with Governor of Aleppo Hussein Diab, the Armenian Embassy in Syria said in a statement.

The sides discussed the current socio-economic problems in the Aleppo governorate, including the problems facing the Aleppo-Armenian community and their solution ways.

Ambassador Gevorgyan informed the Governor that the 8th mission of the Armenian humanitarian demining and expert center arrived in Aleppo.

The Governor of Aleppo thanked Armenia and the Armenian people for assisting the people of Syria in the difficult period. He expressed readiness to provide necessary support to the Armenian churches, schools, cultural and sports unions and the Aleppo-Armenian community.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan